ef when he gave the signal. It was agreed that the latter
part of the next morning should be spent in going over the works. Adela
was very willing to be of the party.

'They haven't much money, have they?' was Alice's first question as soon
as she got away from the door.

'No, they are not rich,' replied the brother. 'You got on very nicely,
old girl.'

'Why shouldn't I? You talk as if I didn't know how to behave myself,
Dick.'

'No, I don't. I say that you did behave yourself.'

'Yes, and you were surprised at it.'

'I wasn't at all. What do you think of her?'

'She doesn't say much.'

'No, she's always very quiet. It's her way.'

'Yes.'

The monosyllable meant more than Richard gathered from it. They walked
on in silence, and were met presently by a gentleman who was coming
along the village street at a sharp pace. A lamp discovered Mr. Willis
Rodman. Richard stopped.

'Seen to that little business?' he asked, in a cheerful voice.

'Yes,' was Rodman's reply. 'We shall hear from Agworth in the morning.'

'All right.--Alice, this is Mr. Rodman.--My sister, Rodman.'

Richard's right-hand man performed civilities with decidedly more finish
than Richard himself had at command.

'I am very happy to meet Miss Mutimer. I hope we shall have the pleasure
of showing her New Wanley to-morrow.'

'She and Miss Waltham will walk down in the morning. Good night, Rodman.
Cold, eh?'

'Why didn't you introduce him this afternoon?' Alice asked as she walked
on.

'I didn't think of it--I was bothered.'

'He seems very gentlemanly.'

'Oh, Rodman's seen a deal of life. He's a useful fellow--gets through
work in a wonderful way.'

'But _is_ he a gentleman? I mean, was he once?'

Richard laughed.

'I suppose you mean, had he ever money? No, he's made himself what he
is.'

Tea having supplied the place of the more substantial evening meal,
Richard and his sister had supper about ten o'clock. Alice drank
champagne; a few bottles remained from those dedicated to the recent
festival, and Mutimer felt the necessity of explaining the presence
in his house of a luxury which to his class is more than anything
associated with the bloated aristocracy. Alice drank it for the first
time in her life, and her spirits grew as light as the foam upon her
glass. Brother and sister were quietly confidential as midnight drew
near.

'Shall you bring her to London?' Alice inquired, without previous
mention of Adela.

'For a we